Sharjah [UAE], February 19 (ANI/WAM): The Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) announces the opening of its latest exhibition, “The Art of Architectural Ornamentations in the Emirate of Sharjah – A Photography Exhibition,” hosted at Bait Al Naboodah.
Inaugurated by Aisha Rashid Deemas, Director General of SMA in the presence of the exhibition participants, the exhibition opens its doors to visitors from February 17, 2024, and aims to inspire audiences for a period of six months.
The choice of Bait Al Naboodah as the venue is attributed to its rich historical significance, central location in Sharjah, and stunning architectural design.
The house features wooden columns influenced by Roman architecture and a unique backdrop of designs sourced from India by Obaid Al Naboodah, adding to its cultural richness.
Its architecture, adorned with intricate wooden and plaster decorations inspired by Islamic art–including floral motifs, geometric shapes, and calligraphy–enhances its historical and aesthetic value.
The Director General of SMA highlighted that the exhibition showcases a fusion of beauty and heritage through various architectural styles, aligning with Sharjah’s renewed identity as a beacon of creativity and heritage, encapsulating the Emirate’s historical narrative.
“This event is a significant platform to showcase Sharjah’s dedicated efforts in preserving its cultural and architectural heritage,” she said.
“It mirrors the emirate’s creative essence through its distinctive architectural styles that blend history with modernity, showcased in iconic structures like beautiful mosque domes and other cultural landmarks.”
The exhibition features creative photographs from three talented photographers selected from 85 contestants in a competition organized by the Authority for individuals aged 15 and above between September and November last year where a panel of experts from the Emirates Photography Society evaluated and shortlisted the outstanding images for display.
Ten works were chosen for display, narrating through their unique perspectives the story of Islamic art and the contemporary essence of the vibrant emirate.
These images capture the unique architectural narratives of Sharjah, incorporating Islamic elements like floral patterns, geometric designs, and calligraphy, offering a special experience for photography enthusiasts, professionals, and architectural aficionados to delve into the beauty of architectural decorations and discover the unique characteristics of Sharjah’s buildings.
Among the featured photographs is the entrance to Bait Al Naboodah Majlis, depicting traditional Emirati door designs and heritage floral decorations, and an image of Bank Street showcasing a graffiti mural, a visual spectacle on a building’s wall.
Additionally, the exhibition includes images of Sharjah Mosque, the largest in the emirate, celebrated for its intricate architectural decorations, as well as the Central Souk, an iconic structure printed on the UAE five-dirham note, known for its beautiful domes, distinctive, blue-coloured walls, arches, and geometric decorations.
The University City Hall, illuminated during the Sharjah Light Festival, also features, highlighting its elegant architectural elements inspired by Arab culture.
Accompanying the exhibition, the Authority has organized workshops aligned with the event’s goals, including the “Basic Principles of Photography” workshop in collaboration with the Emirates Photography Society and photographer Tahani Al-Arsali.
Additionally, a “Traditional Ornamentations” workshop, starting Sunday, February 18, and running until August 18, offers participants a chance to explore the architectural beauty of Bait Al Naboodah, enriching their appreciation of Sharjah’s cultural legacy. (ANI/WAM)

||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER |||

Visit Orcas Senior Center Monday through Friday, 9 am to 3 pm through April 19, to immerse yourself in the stunning photography of Julia Summers. This captivating exhibition will grace our walls throughout the months of January and February.

Julia’s artistic passion ignited at the age of eight when an art teacher, recognizing her unique perspective due to an eye patch and limited vision, handed her a camera with the encouragement to “show the world how you see it.” This marked the inception of her illustrious career as a photographer.

From overcoming adversity in school to making a profound impact on the world, Julia Summers has contributed her talent to renowned organizations such as the National Geographic, National Wildlife Federation, and the United Nations. Join us in celebrating her extraordinary vision and accomplishments at Orcas Senior Center.

TL;DR: Drones allow you to see the world in an entirely new way. Get in on this unique hobby now and buy the Ninja Dragon Phantom K Pro — which comes with a free (yes, free!) Blade X Pro — for just $149.99. Considering it usually costs $369, it’s an incredible price drop!

There are just so many views we can’t see from down here on the ground. Drones, however, let us soar through the air and get a literal birds eye perspective. And while this kind of tech sounds fancy and pricey, there are affordable ways to break into this hobby.

Consider this astonishing deal: When you buy the Ninja Dragon Phantom K Pro, you also get a Free Blade X Pro. That’s two drones for the price of one!  It’s a deal you can usually only snag for $369, but right now you can get these two drones for just $149.99, no coupons needed.

Of course, these drones aren’t just a must-buy because they’re on sale. The Ninja Dragon Drone stands out from other similar tools thanks to its sleek size, powerful battery life, and high-definition camera. Here’s what to expect:

• You can bring it with you anywhere, as it’s slim and foldable (toss it in any bag!)
• The 4K HD Camera delivers astonishingly crisp and vivid photos and videos
• It has WiFi capabilities, so you can actually check out that imagery in real time
• This drone can soar up to 12 minutes in the air
• When you’re done using it, you can use the One Key Return button, which brings the drone flying right back to you. It couldn’t be simpler to use

These drones are great for people who want to participate in a new kind of aerial hobby, capture unusual photographs, or tackle surveillance-related tasks. Regardless of your motivation, the drones will help you achieve your goal!

So, if you want to see the world in a different way, get the Ninja Dragon Phantom K Pro (along with a free Blade X Pro) now for just $149.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

In the scenic landscapes of Malta, a revolution in cinematic technology unfolds, blending the realms of academic research and practical filmmaking into a groundbreaking venture known as the VoLARe project. Spearheaded by the University of Malta and Stargate Studios Malta, with generous funding from MCST, this initiative seeks to transform the cumbersome process of background removal in post-production with an innovative application of light field photography. Diving into the essence of this technology, the project aims not just to refine but to redefine the efficiency of cinematic production as we know it.

The Genesis of VoLARe: A Technological Symphony

At the heart of the VoLARe project lies a daring ambition: to apply light field photography—a technique traditionally confined to still photography—to the dynamic and demanding world of cinematic video. This involves capturing a scene from a multitude of angles using a strategically arranged array of cameras, thereby creating a comprehensive depth map of the scene. Such a map is pivotal, for it allows for the seamless removal of backgrounds, a task that has historically been a painstaking hurdle in post-production. The collaboration between the academic prowess of the University of Malta and the cinematic expertise of Stargate Studios Malta is not just a partnership but a fusion of theory and practice aiming to leap over the current limitations of filmmaking technology.

Challenges and Breakthroughs

The journey of VoLARe is not without its challenges. The transition from static to motion pictures introduces complexities such as the synchronization of video feeds and the pixel-level calibration of cameras—daunting tasks that demand both innovation and precision. Yet, the project has already marked significant milestones, boasting a functional rig and invaluable experience garnered from actual video shoots. These achievements underscore the project’s commitment to not just conceptualize but actualize a solution that caters to the real-world needs of the film industry. The rig, a testament to four years of relentless research and development, stands as a beacon of progress in the quest to simplify and streamline the post-production process.

The Future of Filmmaking

The implications of the VoLARe project extend far beyond the immediate convenience of easier background removal. By harnessing the power of light field photography for video, the project paves the way for a future where filmmakers can exert unprecedented control over their visual narratives. This technology promises to reduce the physical and financial constraints of set design and location scouting, opening new vistas of creativity and storytelling possibilities. As the project continues to evolve, it is poised to not just enhance but revolutionize the landscape of cinematic production, offering a glimpse into a future where the boundaries of filmmaking are redefined by the limitless potential of technology.

In conclusion, the VoLARe project stands as a vivid illustration of what happens when visionary academic research meets practical cinematic expertise. By tackling the intricate challenges of applying light field photography to video, the initiative is not only simplifying post-production processes but also setting the stage for a new era of filmmaking. As this technology continues to develop, it holds the promise of transforming the cinematic landscape, making the once laborious task of background removal a relic of the past and unlocking new realms of creative freedom for filmmakers around the globe.